A Time to Celebrate

It was our joy today to celebrate Isabel's 18th birthday!  Our families met ten years ago when their family relocated to the states from the Philippines.  Isabel and Caleb are the same age and Katrina and Abigail are both the same age.  We've done many field trips, art class, drama groups, operas, birthdays and theater productions together over the years. We were blessed to share in Isabel's baptism a few years ago as well.  

Isabel's family is actively involved in the International Church of Christ and the girls have grown up doing mission work, church camps, etc. just like our kids.  They have encouraged Caleb in his Biblical Text studies at LCU.  

The party was celebrated with games and some of Isabel's favorite Filipino food.  There was also a fun slide show of Isabel growing up over the years, so many great memories. We're excited to see what this next phase of this very talented young ladies life holds! Happy birthday, Isabel! 

Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. Colossians 2:16-17

Playing with the Big Kids

The Texas State Championship Softball Tournament continued today.  My catcher girl had two games yesterday and another three games today.  The team continued to struggle being a team of 15 & 16 year olds playing in an 18 year old tournament but it was a good learning experience for the team.  The girls lost most of their games but that is part of the learning process.  Many adults haven't learned how to be gracious when losing; sports are a great avenue to develop this life skill.  The girls also learn compassion as they take a knee when a player is injured.  

The pictures of Abigail laughing with the referee make me smile.  The kid has always made small talk with the men in blue who stand behind her. She feels just as comfortable interacting with them as she does with other team mates.  Many of the refs have gone on to give her great catching tips.

Her team will win another day, another tournament; but today they got a little better. 

My son, if you accept my words

    and store up my commands within you,

turning your ear to wisdom

    and applying your heart to understanding—

Proverbs 2:1-2

Hawaiian Falls Champion Day

Summer time in Texas usually includes fun in the water to cool off.  Again this summer, Caleb is working at Hawaiian Falls, a family-friendly Texas water park offering six locations run with Christian principles.  This year Caleb is working in the office and is also that mysterious announcer voice you hear in the park. 

The staff start each day with a prayer and a rally chant before the doors open.  The music throughout the park is family friendly.  The staff close out the day with short devotional and prayer.  It's just a reminder to the employees that they are act in a way that is pleasing to God in all of their interactions with the public. 

In keeping with that mindset, today Hawaiian Falls opened their doors early for Champion's Day. It's a day where children and adults with disabilities can enjoy the park while it is less crowded.  The staff are prepped with tips for interacting with the Champions.  The music in the park is at a lower volume to avoid anxiety issues.  Additional staff is on duty to help park goers on and off the rides. 

NBC was at The Colony water park today and interviewed Frankie, Caleb and myself about the value of offering such a great day for the Champions.  Caleb came into work early today so he could enjoy some of the day with Frankie.  The middle row of pictures are fun shots a friend sent us when they saw us on tv (thanks, Gracie)! 

On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. I Corinthians 12:22-23

Girls of Summer

Just like that, camp and VBS are over and my girl is back at plate catching fastballs!  No more stage make-up and cute pigtails, she back to catchers gear and eye black! 

My girl was thrilled to be playing in Allen so her buddy Gracie could come cheer her on!  We also had a few friends from church, the Sanderfords, come out and cheer on her team.  

They are playing up in an 18U (18 year olds and under) tournament, there is a big difference in the 15 year olds and the 18 year olds.  But if the girls want to get better, they need a bigger challenge!  

Who is the chosen one I will appoint for this?

Who is like me and who can challenge me? Jeremiah 50:44

Pretty Purple Fabric Maker

Our final night of VBS highlighted Lydia as a Super Woman of the Bible.  Lydia is the first Gentile convert in Europe that we are told about in scripture.   I like that the women we selected began with women in the ancestory of Christ, to the mother of Christ and forward to a convert after the resurrection and ascension of Christ. 

The story of Lydia include her conversion by Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke.  Caleb portrayed the young Timothy who threw in a few sayings by his mother Eunice and grandmother Lois, as a shout out to yet other Super Women of the Bible. 

Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke sang, 'Philippi' to the Beach Boy's 'Kokomo.' Sing with me, you know the words, "Derbe and Lystra, oh I want to take you, down in Macedonia let's go spread the gospel, to the Gentiles, baby why don't we go . . ."  

One of my favorite Lydia songs, include the lyrics "well a bless my soul, rock n roll, pretty purple fabric maker" to the 1958 tune of "Purple People Eater!" It was fabulous! Another VBS in the books, I have a little break before I get back to writing another set of scripts. 

One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.  Acts 16:14

An Obedient Mary

For night 3 of VBS we took on the story of Mary.  It's the amazing story of a young girl who would trust God so completely that she would risk loosing her life to be obedient to the Lord. For tonight's story would portray Joseph and Abigail's friend Hayley played the part of Mary.  

When I first asked Hayley about playing Mary, I was prepared to beg.  I knew it was asking a lot for a 15 year old to portray a pregnant, unwed girl in front of hundreds of people.  But Hayley very willingly agreed and did a fabulous job.  Her voice is amazing!  

My favorite was her singing the song, 'Dear Future Husband' to Caleb.   Caleb did a wonderful job as Joseph.  As a mom, I found it so encouraging to see these two take center stage knowing it wasn't that long ago that they sat in the audience with their Bible classes. 

Because we were focusing on the Super Women of the Bible, I centered my stories on Mary's faith and obedience to God; her visit to care for Elizabeth while she was expecting John; and then that Jesus would later perform his first miracle at the request of Mary.  

On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.  Matthew 2:11

Boaz was Once Ruth-less

Night two of Vacation Bible School brought the story of Ruth. It followed the story of Rahab nicely because Ruth would marry the son of Rahab and Salmon.  The story continues the lineage of Christ and this Super Woman of the Bible who acted with courage and bravery in leaving her country to follow Naomi.  

Abigail and I continued to narrate and progress the story from our side stage while Caleb took to the center stage and portrayed Boaz's foreman.  He was the grumpy Jew who expresses the distain for the Moabites.  

Sissy was at home in the four year old class with her kids.  She is so good with them and they love her! 

Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab,

Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth,

Obed the father of Jesse,

and Jesse the father of King David.

Matthew 1:5-6

Rahab, the pro. . . problem solver

It's that time again for Vacation Bible School, that fun-filled program offered during the summer (“vacation”) months, to increase children and families Bible knowledge.  I've been writing Bible lessons for VBS for the better part of 25 years. 

The last fourteen years I have written Bible stories in the form of stage productions where adults and children come together to learn the Bible story and then break off into age appropriate groups to enhance the lesson.  The adult classes break off into a deep dive lesson and the children will do crafts and hands on learning to apply the lessons taught. 

For the past seven years I have written the stage productions as musicals.  I write the script, the dialog, the stage setting, direction, etc.  Other musically talented ladies at church then take contemporary songs, altering the lyrics to fit the lessons.   

It really is a fun process, and I thoroughly enjoy seeing it all come together.  Writing the scripts generally take me about two months, the ladies will spend many weeks on the songs, back drops, costumes, etc.  Each of the actors will add a little of their personality into the production and by the time we stand in front of 500+ people to perform it is really something to see! 

This year's theme was Super Women of the Bible.  the ladies I was asked to write about include Rahab, Ruth, Mary, and Lydia.  No small task!  Rahab of course, is super because she is listed in the lineage of Christ; she also appears in Hebrew's in the 'Faith Hall of Fame' following her actions at Jericho.  I usually play on the side stage and serve to narrate some of the more delicate portions of the story.  It provides a little comedy relief and can advance the story.  Abigail joined me on the side stage again this year as my daughter 'Carolyn' along with Joey, one of my Bible Bowl kiddos played the part of 'Michael.' 

By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days. By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient. Hebrews 11:30-31

A Time to Celebrate

Today we got to celebrate the upcoming wedding of Ms. Hannah to Reece.  The two are getting married at the end of August.  Hannah is the sweet daughter of Tim and Ms. Kim.  Tim was the pulpit minister at the McDermott church for our first six years in Texas.  They are now ministering to the congregation in Broken Arrow where I grew up.  

It was my privilege to have Hannah in Bible classes as she was growing up.  And, of course, Frankie taught with Ms. Kim and Tim in the precious four year old class at McDermott. 

We are so proud of Hannah and Reece, both graduated in the Spring from Oklahoma Christian University. We can't wait to see what God has ahead for this sweet, beautiful couple. 

How beautiful is your love, my bride!

    How much better is your love than wine.

Song of Solomon 4:10

Mountaintop Experience

Just a few more pictures of the girls in Abigail's cabin and the sweet friendships from church.  The top picture is the lovely ladies from cabin 15.  Below that is our sweet friend Shae and her son Benjamin giving the cabin clean-up reports.  Below that is a bus selfie with the youth from Brown Trail. 

The other photos are the girls from McDermott and a group shot of one of the morning devotion times.  

O you who dwell in the gardens,

    with companions listening for your voice;

    let me hear it. Song of Solomon 8:13